Wednesday, July 21, 2010

How To Do A Last Minute Triathlon Training

Last year my focus was mainly on triathlons. I did the Kenyir Lake, PD and Desaru triathlons. Though I managed to finish all the races, I realized that I was (and still am) not good at the running leg, and also the cycling leg, and also the swimming leg. Actually, I still don’t know what I am good at in triathlon.

Oh yeah, maybe the only thing I’m very good at in triathlon is being nervous. Especially when I’m there standing by the shore, among 300 other triathletes, waiting for the gun off.

As a countermeasure, the first half of this year I focused more on running. That automatically means my swimming and cycling get a massive amount of abandonment. Only after I finished with my last marathon of the year in June (SCKLM), I started some express triathlon training in both swimming and cycling regimes. Three weeks time was all I have. I call it express, they call it “last minute”.

And I’m sure all of you have done many last minute things in your life. Last minute exam preparation, last minute travelling preparation, last minute this and last minute that. Such a nerve wrecking moments, aren’t they?

So, to kill off the excessive edginess, I introduced some new spices into my ‘last minute’ triathlon training. For the swimming, I started using the training paddle. If I was able to use it correctly, I could feel an infinitesimal amount of increase in my swimming speed while training. Good enough to make me perasan laju, when in fact I am still not. Better than nothing, right?

Kecik tapak tangan, paddle besar gedabak ni saya tadahkan.

Same case for cycling, I started using the trainer (some call it turbo machine). It is supposed to enhance the speed performance, similar to interval training in running. The plus factor of using trainer is that, we can train in any sort of weather, and in front of our favorite TV shows or DVD movies. If I manage to consistently do turbo sessions, I should be able to feel some comfort in cycling, especially when I did not have any opportunities to do any long rides. I just did the one-and-only turbo session last night because it was raining, while watching “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” on DVD. And I can say I enjoyed the movie very much.

Obviously my trainer is of a much older version than this one.

And if you noticed, I used the terms “if”, and “feel” repeatedly. Both are imaginary and conditional kind of words, and you know how dramatic I may sound when I write on my blog. Hahahaa.

So, with few more days left to go, I now feel like a form five student entering the examination hall. If weather permits, my last minute training will end today with a swim and cycling sessions. If it rains again today, that means my training has ended yesterday (gosh!). I’ve been tapering very well for the running with totally no run for the whole week since last Sunday. I'm not really sure what to do for tomorrow though. Maybe I’ll start my carbo and ORS loading disciplines. And on Friday, I’ll be busy shaving my legs.

And on a second thought, I think the title of this entry should really be “How NOT To Do A Last Minute Triathlon Training”

25 comments:

IJAM said...

Good luck nik...PD triathlon..
jgn lupa ambik gambar dlm air...

Che said...

alah kalah ngan ijam :P

that paddle help you swim faster or better? :P

EnAikAY said...

Thanks Ijam,
Alaa, aku ambik gambar masa minum air dah la.

Daud,
The paddle helps you to SUFFER more.

June Malik said...

hhaah this is cute, no matter how you do, most important is you are at the starting line ! all the best !!

kookykash said...

You'll do your best, Nik. I'm sure of it. I was confident of doing a PB 4 weeks ago, but right now, i think its impt for me just to get to the start line. see you there?

tolldoll said...

see you there nik.

EnAikAY said...

Thanks June,
Bring along your camera, and shades, and cap, and plenty of sun blocks.. if u r coming to PD ya.

Kash,
Thanks. See u again at the start line.

Nadia,
Have you got your ODTV vest (OD Triathlon Virgin)?
All the best to you too!

IJAM said...

You mean kash is going? Nadia too?whoaa...im so jealous..!!

actually the paddle (when i surf the net)meant for main gali pasir after triathlon...can u believe it!!

EnAikAY said...

Ijam,
Net mana yg kau surf ni? Net badminton ke netball?

iamsyah said...

itu pedal kasi sorok dalam seluar la... nnt after 200m, kasi taruklah...

good luck dato!

EnAikAY said...

Syah,
Alang2 nak sorok benda dalam seluar.. baik aku sorok enjin motobot twin turbo terus...

Diket said...

Good luck bro. Alang-alang twin turbo, pastikan podium terus ok. If not, janji habis injury free and enjoy.

RaYzeef said...

Gud luck Nik, jangan lupa pakai vest merah ya..senang nak carik:)

Jamie said...

All the best Nik. You're definitely good at the tri. That's good at finishing!

Unknown said...

Gud luck bro!
Dont forget to get yourself some paddle pop after your tri...

EnAikAY said...

Shakhir,
Tinggi sangat kau lambung tu... :)

Ray,
Ooh.. my official triathlon 'uniform' comes in black n white lah dude.

Jamie,
Thanks bro. I'll do my best.
I'm worried about my knee...

Zaki,
Good idea! Can put the paddle pop on my knee... substitute for ice.

Fong said...

gud luck n all d best =)

June Malik said...

nik : camera check, cap and shades, check - sunblock - anak mami lut cahaya matahari LOL no need ! u forgot orange G!!

Justiffa said...

Salam Nik.. i noticed u suke pantun so akak took the liberty of penning u one, hope u dun mind :)

EnAikAY the pirate king
Is into cycling, swimming & running
Even when stuck in the pejabat
The sun & sea always close at heart.

Lately he's been a little edgy
Jenuh dok pikir, "what's up with me?"
Bila bike, swim or lari
Rasa tak kena, feel so funny.

Is the king losing his groove?
Heaviness filling his every move
Or is it just one of those things?
The ups & downs of daily living.

Wahai nik u shouldnt worry
Even from here its plain to see
Ur semangat kental, ur spirit free
You'll be rockin' it in Pee Dee!!

Yesza lol... and anak mami will look out for u, gud luck & have fun :D

ian yusof said...

naper plak yg aku rasa berdebar .... good luck nik ... you'll do fine, like always ... :)

EnAikAY said...

Fong,
Thanks. Your turn next year ok!

June,
Wow.. u have a sun-proof skin? That's impressive! I should call Discovery Channel. hhihi.
Yezzz... Gatoraaaade!!!!

Wa'alaikumussalam Justiffa,
First of all, thanks for dropping by. I didn't know u read my blog. TQ.
Second of all.. uwaaa.. rasa macam habuk nak masuk mata woo.. never did i have anyone dedicate an English pantun for me. :)
Thank u very much. Definitely i cannot match your english pantun lah. My malay pantun pun banyak grammar mistakes.

Ian,
Is it not the time yet to teach your new babyborn Aryaan for open water swim at PD? Come join the fun! :)
Thanks bro.

June Malik said...

hahah tiff, gf! u rock .. jom gi pd? heheeh - see Nik? thats why u cant stop blogging or any other things .. we are rooting for you, even the makciks !!! heheh yeah get DC for my skin expert advise lol

EnAikAY said...

Korang dapat Bachelor Degree in BODEK dari university mana ni hah?
Hehehee...

tsar said...

ni kena cari sponsor "crittercam" so that boleh amik video time berenang.

all the best man! satu je pesan. jgn melepas dlm air. hahaha

btw, the yellow thingy attached at the trainer tu, i thought was the exhaust utk turbo. ooops. :D

EnAikAY said...

Zarin,
Alaa, ikan dugong melepas dlm air selambe je aku tengok.

Yg kuning tu bukan exhaust, itu lampu isyarat warna kuning yg membawa erti "jangan laju dan jangan berhenti", kayuh sampai koma.